RNbelth

Well hello everyone, I am new to the field of critical care. I am a new grad so I know pretty much minimum amount of knowledge only things we obtain in school. I have started a notebook at work of things I have learned and things that I have seen but won't see again for a bit and I write it down so I don't forget. I was wondering if anyone out there has some helpful tips for me to add to my book. Examples are like Diprivan doesn't have any control on pain just a sedation method. Or for a hypotensive patient to put the HOB down, get fluid bolus if pt isn't CHF. Things like that. I am hoping to increase my knowledge as much as I can with this new opportunity of a job. Thank you

I was wondering if someone nurses would share either their story or others they know of that involves a needlestick from sub q injection. Example insulin. Wondering if anyone has tested positive for hep c or HIV from these types of sticks.

Well I am a new nurse and never had a fear of needles or giving injections I shall say. But lately I am scared to death, mostly because I am 3 months pregnant and deal with 13 insulin injections daily through my shift. Well I double glove with vinyl gloves and 2 days ago I was on my break and noticed my finger was red so I squeezed it and blood came out. There was also a flap of skin covering the "scrape" and before break I was dealing with a lot of orders and charts. I showed it to my boss and she said its probably a paper cut because I would know if I was poked. I am so careful that I think I would have noticed myself scratching myself with a needle since it was a small linear abrasion. Need your guys input. I keep worrying but am I for nothing, what do you think? Needle stick or papercut? I do deal with med cards you know the nasty little boogers you have to pop out the pills And has atone known of anyone getting hep c or HIV from an insulin needle. The ones I use are 29 guage. I appreciate all nurses on this site and not. I don't think people realize what we go through on a daily basis.Thanks all. Belth